Assionob



V. F. REICH.

DOUBLE ACTING ELASTIC SHACKLE.

APPLICATION FILED oct. l. |919.

1,373,449. Y Patented Apr. 5, 1921.

if www TTORNEYS range of elasticity. Other objects of UNITED STATES" vALDmfmn r. nmcn, or PITTSBURGH, rEnNsvLvANrA, As'srenon To NATHANIEL ELIN, or Nnwnnx, NEW-JERSEY. A

' DOUBLE-.AGTNG ELASTIC ASHA'GYKIE'.

Tool-Z whom-fit may aannam: i

hereby declare the following to vbe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as 'will enable others slrilledy in the-art to which it appertainsito make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying dra-wings, and to characters of* reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The present invention relates, generally, to improvements in the art pertaining to shackles for connecting the ends of the springs of vehicles', yand especially of automobiles; and, Athe invention lhas lreference moreparti-cularly, to, a novel construction o double acting elastic shacklewhich acts not only. as a shock-absorbing means for check4 ing the violent reactions of the usual vehicle springs, but acts also in the opposite directionV from that which is usual` With the general constructions of shock-absorbers, the Yshackle `acting also upon the rebound,

The present invention, therefore, has for its principal objects to provide a novel and simply constructed double actin elastic shock-absorbing meanspreferab y in the form of ashackle for connecting the endportions Vof vehicle springs, the loops or eyes of the oppositely disposed vspring-members being connected by means of cushioning springs which are' free to act both ways, under compression as well as tension, thereby acting in a Ymanner similar to the usualv shock-absorbers but-Yatthe same time taking up the shocizs upon the rebound.

Thus, the invention while having for its main object, primarily, the production of a resilient shackle-construction, also has vfor its furthervobject a shock-absorbing means or device-which acts both under compression and tension, is of Va more compact and eiii-V cientconstruction,v hasn Vgreater action of he shock-absorbing springs and has a wide the present invention not at this time more` particularlyr enumerated will be clearly understoodI from the'following detaileddescriptionof the present invention.

Sp ecication ol Letters Patent.

Patented npr.- 5, 1,4921.

, Applicants sied october i, 191e. serial No. 327,770.

With the various objects of the present invention 1n`-v1ew, thesaid invention cons1sts, primar1ly, m the novel double-acting elastic shackle hereinafter Set forth.; and, the

invention consists, furthermore, inthe novel arrangements and combinations of the varions `devices and parts, as well as in the detail of the construction of the said parts, allof which will be more fully described in the following specification, and then finally embodied in the clauses of the claims which 4are appended to'and which form an essential part of the said specification. The inven tion is clearly illustrated in the accompanyin g drawings, in which:,-

Figure 1 is a side view of fragmentary portions of a semi-elliptical spring', the endportions of the members thereof being connected by means of a double-acting elastic shackle, shown in side elevation, and made according to and4 embodying the principles of the present invention;A Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the part represented in said Figlg'and' Fig. 3 vis a plan or top view of .the same.

Fig. 4f. is an enlarged vertical sectional representation ofthe device, said section beinvtalfen. on line 4--4 in said Fig.. 2.

, iig. 5 is a side view of fragmentary portions of a three-quarter spring, the end-portions of the members thereof being connected by means ofA a double-acting elastic shackle, shown in side-elevation, and illustratmg 'another embodiment of the principles of the present invention.

Similar characters of reference are em- -ployed inthe said above described views, to

indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the.reference-characters 1 and 2 indicate, respectively,fragmentary portions of the 4chassis or body-members of the vehicle, andthe usual spring-member, the same providing what is termed in the art as the semielliptic spring.

. The novel construction of double-acting elastic shackle comprises a pair of upper hanger-irons or supporting members or elements, as 3, provided with downwardly extending ears or lugs 4, adapted to be located against the outer faces of a pair of ears or lugs 5 with which the chassis or bodymem ber 1l isprovided. As shown more partie'- ularly` in Figa of the drawings, the said ears or lugs 4 are provided with holes or llO perforations 6, to be alined with the corresponclingly located holes or perforations, in the lugs or ears 5, (not shownan the drawings,) for the reception of a shacklebolt 7 of any usual construction.

Similarly, a pair of lower hanger irons or supportin members or elements, as 8, provided with lugs 9, are located against the outer faces of the eye-portion l0 of the spring-member 2, the said lugs or ears 9 being likewise `provided `with holes or perforations 11 for the reception of a shackle-bolt 12 of any usual construction.

Extending laterally from said upper hanger-irons or supporting members or elements 3 arelugs or ears 13, the same being provided with holes or perforations 14. Similarly, extending laterally from said lower hunner-irons or ,supporting members or elements 8 are lugs or ears 15, inthe form of tubular bosses, which are internally screwthreaded, as at 16, in the manner indicated in F ig. 4 of the drawings.

Screwed into the lowger screw-threaded portions 16 of each boss is a nut 17 provided with a smooth bore 18,-prcviding a guide for an internally screw-threaded sleeve 19, having a nut-shaped portion 20 for screwing the same upon the lower screwthreaded shank-portion 22 of Va stem 2l. The said stems' 21 are provided near their upper portions with enlarged parts, as 23; providing with said stems 21 offsets or shoulders 24, and extending in upward directions from said enlarged parts 23, are reduced shank-portions 25, formingV with said enlarged iarts 23, 'off-sets or shoul- -ders 26, said s ank-portions-25 being further `provided with screwethreads 27 and with .nuts 28 and-washers 29 for firmly securing the uppersupporting hanger-irons or'members or elements 3 up'on said oil'- setsor shoulders 26 in the-manner clearly lillustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing.

l/VithinA each boss 15, and resting upon each nut 17 screwedV into the same, is a pac`king ring 30, and supported within feach boss 15, with its lower end restingupcn the packing ring 30, is a tubular member or cylinder 31. e upper end-portion of each tubular member or cylinder 31 is internally screwthreaded, as at 32, 'forth'e reception of the 34: of a nutlshapcd screw-threaded part member 33.A These members 33ers valso `provided with smooth bores 35 for their slidable dispositions u )on the enlarged parte 23 of the stems 21. uitably disposed upon -eachfstem 21', within each cylinder 31, are guide-disks or ,members 36 and 37, the disli or .member 36 being interdisposed' between a pair of packinggrings 38 and39, and the disk o r member 3,7*be1ng similarly interdisposed between a pair of packing rings 40 andstl; Encircling each stem 2l, with its upwardly extending ears or' vand d4 of respective end-portions bearing upon the respective disks 39 and 40, is a helical spring 42, the said sp1-inns, as will be evident, being properly adjuster and brought under compression, by screwing up the sleeves 19 and the nut-shaped members 33 to the degree desired.

Referring now to the modified form of double-acting elastic shackle illustrated in Figp of thedrawings, and which is more particularly adapted with the members 43 the three-quarter elliptic spring, the shackle comprises a pair of upper hanger-irons or supporting members 45, provided Wi'th downwardly extendingl ears or lugs 46, formed with a plurality of boltieceiving perforations 47, and a pair of lower hanger-irons or supportinpr members 41S, likewise provided with upwardly extendyiup; ears er lugs 49, formed with a plurality oi bolt-receiving perforations 50, for the adjustable disposition of the said supporting members with relation to the respective shackle bolts 51 and 52 ol the springqncmbers 43 and 44;.

In all other respects, the general arrangement; and construction of the several devices and parts of the said double-acting shackle represented in said Fig. 5 is the same as that herein-above described inconnection with the construction shown in said Figs. 1 to d inclusive, and any further description of the' same is therefore deemed unnecessary.

Briefly, the action of the shock-absorbing device illustrated in Figs. 1, Zand 4 is as follows When the vehicle is at rest, the various devices and parts of the shock-absorber are in the relative positions, substantially as illustrated in Fig. et of the drawings. As soon as the load of the body is increased, by the entrance of one or more passengers, or otherwise, the. stems 23 are caused to corresponde ingly move in a downward direction, causing the disks 37 to move with the stems. The disks, 36 being held against downward movement by rcstinfcr'upon the rings 30, which in turn are fixed against movement, by resting upon the ends of the guide-nuts 17, the springs 42 will be brou ht under compression, as will be clearly evi ent. v4The result will be, that when 'driving over rouffh roads, the vibratory action is taken up by the reciprocally moving stems and the springs encircling'said stems, the stems moving up and down within the lower guidenuts 17, while the disks 36 and the lower ends of the springs'remain fixed.

Now supposethat the Wheel drops into a deep rut or' depression in the road-bed. In thatcase, thest'ems, clue to the inertia or momentum of the load, will accordingly move sti-ll farther in a downwarddirection, thereby still further compressing the springs Lavage;

in a downward direction against the lower fixed cnds ol' the springs. lnnnediately, however, the rebound takes place, that is, the body of the car and its load are forced with great acticn in an upward direction. The u pward movement, however, is counteracted by compression oi the springs in the opposite direction from that hereinabove nientioued, due to the fact that the rebounding load exerts a pull upon the in an upward direction, whereby the sleeves or clements i9. being lixcd upon the stems, also move in an upward direction against the disks 3o, so that thc coils of the springs are now compressed in an upward direction, against thc pulling force of the rebounding load, whcrchy the forcible rebounding action of the vchiclc-hfnly and its load are not merely reduced to a minimum, but such Violent reaction is mei-come by the various devices and parts thereby heilig permitted to resume their normal relations without undue force,-and without any perceptible discomfort to the passengers or possible damage t0 or breaking of any parts of the vehicle.

Thus, briefly, the device for producing the results stated comprises, mainly a cylinder, a stem est/ending through the cyiinder, and movable in a reciprocating manner through said cylinder, and a single spring encircling said stem, said spring at all times movin under compression in either direction, witg the corresponding reciproeatory movements of the stem.

With the arrangements of the devices and parts, when assembled as represented in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the various actions and movements take place in a reverse manner from that herein-above described.

From the foregoing description of the present invention, and from an inspection of the several figures of the drawings, it will clearly be seen that I have devised a compact and simply constructed shock-absorb-I ing means which is easily and quickly attached, the device operating as a double acting elastic shackle, it being understood, that the dcvicc in acting both ways, serves to check any violent reaction of the sprin i u-nrbcrs oi' the vehicle, the pound of Suoi violi-nt reaction being absorbed by the ,springs 42. und thc recoil being taken up by :hc sana springs acting in the opposite diiection.

This arrangement of the springs 42, acting in opposi'tc directions, adds greatiy to thc elliciency ol' the slxock-nbsfubing device and constitutes a novcl and important improvement over thc various forms of shockahsorbing dcviccs now ordinarily in use.

Another point oi' novelty consists in the arrangement of the shock-absorbing springs upon opposite sides oi' the cud-portions of the Spring-meinhers ol' the vehicle. thus pro viding a proper buluncc hctwccn the several parts in their assembled relation and producing a better distribution and absorption oi' the shocks or jars, in either direction; and, finally, the arrangement of the devices and parts, as a whole, boing more compact and less clumsy.

0i course I ain aware, that some changes may be made in the general arrangements and taunbinations oi' the several devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the same, without departing `from the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the foregoing specification, and as defined in the clauses of the claims which are appended thereto. Hence, l do not limit my present invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the several devices and parts as described in the said speciication, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of the said parts, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

I clalm:

1. A shock-absorbing means comprising a cylinder, stem-receiving guides connected with the respective ends oi' said cylinder, a loadcarrying stem' movable through said cylinder and said guides in a reciprocatory manner, a spring encircling said stem, means mounted upon one portion of the stem' and moving therewith for compression ot the spring in one direction with a corresponding movement of the stem. and means mounted upon another portion of said stem and also moving therewith for compression of the spring in an opposite direction with the corresponding movement ol' the stem.

2. A. shock-absorbing means comprising a cylinder, stem-receiving guides connected with the respective ends ot' said cylinder` a load-carrying stem movable through said cylinder and said guides in a reciprocatory manner, a spring encircling said stem, a disk in engagement with one end of said spring, said disk being mounted upon one portion of the stem and moving therewith for compression of the spring in one direction with a corresponding movement of the stem, and another disk in engagement with the other end of said spring, said last-mentioned disk also heilig mounted upon another portion of the stem and also moving therewith for com# pression of the spring in an opposite direction with the corresponding movement of the stem.

B. A shocloahsorbmg means comprising a cylinder, a rod extending longitudinally through said cylinder, said rod being capable of rcciprocatory movement, a single sl'ning encircling said rod, said spring being adapted to receive pressure at one end duc to a load whereby the spring is comprcsscd in one direction and also to receive vihratol'y action while thc opposite end of thc spring remains fixed, and means carried by said cylinder and coperating with the other end of said sprin to compress seid spring in an opposite direction, ont at the same time permitting seid spring and rod to assume their initial positions with relation to the cylinder.

4. Ashock-obsorbing means comprising;r :i cylinder having fixed end-members providing guides, n stem extending through seid cylinder and having portions inoviibly disposed in seid guides, said rod being capable of reciprocatory movement, a spring-en an ing niezins iipon said stem, initially eld against movement within said cylinder in` one direction by one of said endmembers of the cylinder, e second spring engaging means upon seid stem ciipnble of initial movement with said stein when carrying a load, but at the sume time capable of reciprocatory movement with-said stein, and :i spring encircling said stem between the said s ring-engaging meens. y

5. shock-absorbing means comprising n cylinder, e load carrying stem, guiding Ineens connected with the respective ends of said cylinder, said stem extending through said cylinder and having` portions slidably mounted within said guiding means, said rod being cepiible of reciprocntory movement, a, pnir of disks loosely mounted upon the stem, rind it spring' enrircliner said stem between the disks thereon` scid disks being adapted to move with said stem for respectively compressing the spring in either direction during corresponding rcciprocatory movements of the stem. 1

6. A shock-absorber for vehicle-s comprising oppositely located means for pivotal attachment to the end-portions of the respective spring-members of the vehicle, combined with a, load carrying stem and a shock-absorbing coil spring encircling said stem, said stem and spring acting to receive the load for initially compressing the coils of the spring in one direction, and at the same time permittingr vibrator-y action of the spring, and means coperating with the opposite end of the spring for compressing the coils of the spring in an opposite direction when :i pull is exerted diie to rebound.

7. A slioclcnbsorber for Vehicles compris ing upper :ind lower hanger-irons, means for pivotal attachment of said honger-irons to the end-portions of the spring-members of the vehicle` combined with e load-carrying :ind shock-absorbing coil-spring, acting to receive the load for initially compressing,r the coils of the spring in one direction, and iit the same timepermitting vibratory action of thespring, said spring,r being interposed between said hanger-irons, and means coperntirig with the opposite end of the spring for compressing the coils of the sprinplr in un opposite direction when a pull is exerted due to rebound.

Y 8.'-A shock-absorber for vehicles compriaing upper and lower honger-irons, means for pivotal attachment of seid hanger-irons to the end-portions of the spring-members of the vehicle,I combined with e shock-absorb ing means comprising a. rod rigidly ellixed at one end to one of said hanger-irons, and nioviibly disposed et its other end with relu.-

tion to the other hanger-iron und n single coil-spring encircling said rod` means mount ed upon Said rod acting to receive the hind for initially compressing the coils of the spring iii one direction, und at the time lime permitting vibratory action ot' the spring, und means also mounted iipoii sidrod und cooperating with seid spring for compressing the coils of the spring in iin opposite ,Ii4 rection when n pull is exerted upon said rod duo to rebound.

Y tl. A shock-absorber for vehicles comprising upper sind lower hengeeirons, means for pivotal attachment of said hanger-irons to the end-portions of the spring-nicmbers,of the vehicle, combined with ii shocknbsorbing ineens comprising :t rod rigidly :iiixed at one end to one of said hongereirons, :i guide-nut affixed to the other lniiigeriron, :i

sleeve rigidly aflixed upon said rod but mov- Y ably disposed in seid guide-nut, a single coilspring encirclingr scid rod, ineens .mounted upon said rod acting to receive the loud for initially com ressing the coils of the spring in one direction, und at the same time peru mitting` vibratory action of the springs, and ineens coperating with said guide-m1t and the Said sleeve for compressing the coils of the spring -in an opposite direction when :i pull is exerted upon said rofl diie to rebound.

10. A shock-absorber for vehicles comprising; upper and lower hangeriirons, ineens for attachment of said liangerdroiis, to the end-- options of the spring-rrii-niliers of the veirle, rods having a xcd relation to one of scid hanger-irons, tubular bosses connected with the other hanger-iron, guideniitsronnected with said tubular bosses, cylinders Connected with and tending upwardly from said tubuliin ifosses, giiidefnnts iipon the upper ends of heid cylinders, seid rods being niovnlily disposed iu scid histdnentioned lhide-nuts. sleeves movnbly disposed in said` first-mentioned guide-nuts with which the lower portions of seid rode nre Connected, sh(wlciilisoi'liing coil-springs within said cylinders and encircling: siiid rods, and ineens on said rods for causing scid springs to work in opposite directions for checkingr :ind absorbing violent reactions.

ll. A shoolvzibsorlier Forwehirles comprisA ing upper and lower hanger-irons, means for attachment ot' said hunger-irons to the endportions of the Springmienibers of the veliicleA rods hierin;r ii fixed relation to one ci said iniuger-irons` tubular bosses connected with the other badger-iron"guide-nuts connected with said tubular bosses, cylinders connected with and extendin upwardly from said tubular bosses, gui e-nuts upon the upper ends of said cylinders, said rods i being movably disposed in said last-mentioned ide-nuts, sleeves movably disposed in saidu first-mentioned guide-nuts with which the lower portions of said rods are connected, shock-absorbing coil-sprin within said cylinders and encirclin sald rods, and a air of disks upon eac rod with which t e end-portions of said coilsprings are in engagement'for causing said springs to work 1n opposite directions for c ecklng and absorbing violent reactions.

12. In combination with the end-portions of the spring-members of a vehicle, a doubleacting elastlc shock-absorbing shackle, comprising a pair of upper and a pair of lower anger-irons, per orated ears extending from said hanger-irons for pivotal connection with the shackle-bolts of said springmembers, rods haviv a xed relation to said ipp'er hanger-iro s, tubular bosses conneet/e with said lower hanger-irons, guidenuts connected with said tubular bosses, cylinders connected with and extending upwardly from said tubular bosses, guide-nuts upon the upper ends of said cylinders, said rods being movably disposed in' said lastmcntioned guide-nuts, sleeves movably disposed in said first-mentioned guide-nuts with which the lower portions of said rods are connected, shock-absorbing coil-springs within said cylinders and encircling said rods, and means on said rods for causing said springs to work in opposite directions for checking and absorbing violent reactions.

13. In combination' with the end-portions of the spring-members of a vehicle, a doubleacting elast1c shock-absorbing shackle, comrising a pair of u per and a pair of lower angerirons, per orated ears extending from said hanger-irons for pivotal connection With the shackle-bolts of said springmembers, rods having a fixed relation to said upper hanger-irons, tubular bosses connected with said lower hanger-irons, guidenuts connected with said tubular bosses, cylinders connected with and extending upwardly from said tubular bosses, guide-nuts upon the upper ends of said cylinders, said rods being movably disposed in said last mentioned guide-nuts, sleeves movably disposed in said first-mentioned guide-nuts, with which the lower portions of said rods are connected, shock-absorbing coil-springs within said cylinders and encircling said rods, and a pair of disks u )on each rod with which the end-portions o said coil-springs are in engagement for causing said springs to Work in opposite directions for checking and absorbing violent reactions.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand 65 this 23rd day of Se itember, 1919.

VAL EMAR F. REICH.

S. C. DEIFEL. 

